AVATAAR Drone: A Bengaluru based deep tech startup called AquaAirX Autonomous Systems has created a new kind of drone that can work in both the air and underwater. The drone is named AVATAAR and it is designed for surveillance and many defence related missions. The company focuses on building autonomous machines that can operate in different environments like oceans, rivers and coastal areas.
AquaAirX recently came into the spotlight after it raised ₹12.5 crore in a seed funding round. The funding came from Rainmatter, which is the investment arm of Zerodha. Rainmatter usually supports new technology driven ideas and startups working on advanced solutions.
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The launch of AVATAAR shows how India’s defence technology sector is slowly moving forward with new inventions. The drone has been designed so it can fly like a normal aerial drone and then land on water. After landing it can dive under the water and continue its mission without stopping.
Drone in Air and Underwater
India Unveils First Amphibious Drone “Avataar”
India has marked a major leap in multi-domain robotics with the launch of “Avataar,” the country’s first amphibious drone, developed by Bengaluru-based AquaAirX Autonomous Systems.
The drone can operate both in the air and… pic.twitter.com/jN2p6PzjCc
— Netram Defence Review (@NetramDefence) March 7, 2026
The AVATAAR drone is special because it can move between two very different environments. It can take off like a quadcopter and fly to the location of a mission. After reaching the water surface it can land and then submerge below the water to perform underwater tasks.
This ability makes the drone very useful for watching coastal areas and oceans. It can help monitor both what is happening above the water and what is happening below the surface. The system has been designed so it can switch between air and water operations smoothly and does not need outside help to do this.
The drone has also reached Technology Readiness Level 6. This means the full working prototype of the drone has already been tested in conditions similar to real operations. It shows the machine is moving from testing in labs to real life use.
Protection Features
Working underwater is not easy because seawater can damage machines. To solve this problem the AVATAAR drone is built using rust resistant carbon fibre materials. These materials help protect the drone from corrosion caused by saltwater.
The drone also has special coatings which protect its sensors and electronic systems from salt deposits and debris found in marine environments. The drone also has a special system that helps it move underwater. This system can make 3D maps of things that are below the water. Due to that operators can easily check pipelines, cables, and other underwater structures.
Defence and Rescue Missions
The AVATAAR drone can be used for many types of missions by the armed forces and other agencies. One of its important roles is surveillance. The drone can keep watch over ports and berths to find possible threats.
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It can also support precision loitering and target acquisition missions. The drone can inspect underwater platforms, pipelines, cables and other subsea assets while collecting autonomous data.
In addition to defence work the drone can also help in search and rescue missions. It can quickly respond and help locate people or objects in complex surface and underwater environments.
The drone can also support ISR operations. ISR stands for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. In these missions the drone can provide real time information during littoral and near shore operations.
